Half of those surveyed in a new booze survey have said they will cut out drink altogether across Ireland in January.
More than 1,000 people were surveyed with half saying they will stop drinking alcohol and do a ‘Dry January’ to help save money and to cut down alcohol consumption.
The nationwide survey was conducted by Bounce Insights and analysed Irish drinking habits and behaviours.
However, cutting back on alcohol won’t just be for January this year, as 50% of people are also planning to cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume overall in 2024, the survey commissioned by alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint, found.
Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, said: “The findings show that whilst January is a time where people look at cutting back their alcohol consumption, moderation is set to continue right throughout the year.”
Men and women also had different motivators when it came to reducing alcohol with men prioritising fitness while women valued sleep and overall well-being.
“After thousands of years of forming social connections around alcohol occasions, we’re seeing a rapid cultural shift in attitudes towards alcohol, and acceptance of not drinking.
“I don’t know anyone planning to drink more in 2024 than they did in 2023,” Mr Boase added.
The alcohol-free choice is already one of the fastest growing alcohol-free markets in the world and figures compiled by Drinks Ireland confirmed that non-alcoholic beer sales more than tripled between 2017 and 2021 in Ireland, with 2022 sales increasing by 25%.
